Far too often, Black girls are described as “troubling” or “disobedient” yet having isolated occurrences. When you review the existing data, you notice the trends that in some U.S. public schools, Blackgirls are six times more likely to face suspension, three times more likely to be restrained, twice as likely to endure corporal punishment, and three times more likely to experience law enforcement referrals than white girls. Today we join Dr. Ijeoma Opara and Marline Francois-Madden to discuss these disparities, how Black girls are frequently treated as adults, and how we can best support Black girls inside and outside of the classroom.

Today, we join Dr. Ijeoma Opara and Marline Francois-Madden, 

Keep in touch with our speakers:

Marline’s Instagram:@MarlineFrancois

Marline’s Twitter:@MarlineFracois

Visit Marline’s website here and purchase the State of Black Girls here.

Dr. Opara’s Instagram:@Dr.Ijeoma.Opara

Dr. Opara’s Twitter:@IjeomaOparaPHD

Visit Dr. Opara’s website here.

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We have learned the architecture of racism in the social work profession is embedded in practice, research, and education. As practitioners, we must deepen our awareness and then recognize our responsibility to disrupt the growth of racist ideas. Today, we join Josh McNeil, Doctoral Student at the University of Alabama, historian, and co-host of the Melanated Social Work Podcast to discuss his path for social work education, his process for unlearning, and how we should all seek out truth through curiosity. 

Keep in touch with Josh McNeil:

Instagram: MelanatedSocialWork

Listen to Josh on the Melanated Social Work Podcast here. 

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The primary aim of social work is eliminating social inequalities by advocating for racial, social, and economic justice for individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. In many ways, white supremacy has shaped how many social workers navigate the system, what to expect, and what they believe is possible. Today, we join the Dope Black Social Worker AKA Kim Young, LCSW to discuss the consequences of white supremacy in social work, how she navigates professionalism standards, and her goals for social work retirement. 

Keep in touch with Kim Young:

Instagram: DopeBlack_SocialWorker

Twitter: DopeBlack_Slwkr

Visit Kim’s website here: Dope Black Social Worker

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The LGBTQ community’s rate of addiction is concerning, as are the various challenges and obstacles these individuals face on a daily basis that can contribute to a substance abuse problem. As they cope with stigma, harassment and even rejection by their families, LGBTQ folks are more likely than their non-LGBTQ+ peers to abuse drugs and alcohol. Today, we join Dr. Carl Highshaw, Chief Executive Officer of the AMAAD Institute to discuss what he knows about substance abuse in his community and recommendations to keep LGBTQ+ people safe.

Keep in touch with Dr. Highshaw and the AMAAD Institute

Instagram:@Amaad_Institute

E-mail: [email protected] 

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More and more, studies reveal that people want to feel represented in the media they consume - and it’s up to us to respect and celebrate our consumer’s identities. When the existence of different identities, skin tones, body shapes and abilities is not taken into account, that is an act of the erasure of that community. This is why representation matters.Today, we join Michae and Quintell Allen, owners of GhostReaders and Umbrella Stock to discuss diversity in the photography field, using the power of imagery and voice to promote diversity, and what inclusion means in this work. 

Keep in touch with Michae & Quintell:  

Twitter: @ASharpPhoto

Instagram: @ASharpPhoto

Visit their stock photo site website here: Umbrella Stock

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Financial literacy describes a person’s ability to comprehend and use financial skills for things like budgeting, investing, and personal finance. Unfortunately, the relationship between income and physical health demonstrates that financial health is an important social determinant that has a vast array of implications. Today we join Nicole Lewis, LCSW to discuss how she includes financial literacy as part of her private practice, some of the ways we have inherited our perception of money, and navigating the reimbursement process in private practice.

Keep in touch with Nicole

Twitter: @LeRemedyy

Visit Her Private Practice Website here: Legacy Wellness Services 

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We've all heard it before - young children are ‘too young’ to understand race, racism and discrimination or you don’t want to ‘put ideas in their heads. Racism in early childhood is real and it has concrete life implications which affect children disproportionately, depending on their social, political, cultural, economic, geographical and other positionings. Today, we join Marquita LaGarde, LCSW to discuss strategies for talking to children about race and racism, share resources on the conversation, and how to go about refilling your cup using mindfulness. 

Keep in touch with Marquita:

Twitter:

Instagram:@Blkmhc

LinkedIn: Marquita LaGarde

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The horror genre has a long-standing history of critiquing social norms, asking us to find the alternative, deeper meanings beyond the surface plotlines. This quality makes horror films one of the most powerful, and highly underrated, tools for social commentary. Today, we join fellow horror enthusiast Patrick Harris to share our appreciation for the genre, what it means to be Black in horror and how horror films are perfect for attacking white supremacy.

And if you are wondering what the tattoo is… it’s Michael Myers. 

Keep in touch with Patrick:

Twitter: @PresidentPat

Instagram: @PresidentPat

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People of color and all those whose lives have been marginalized by those in power experience life differently from those whose lives have not been devalued. They experience overt racism and bigotry far too often, which leads to a mental health burden that is deeper than what others may face. Today, we join Lauren Reliford, MSW, Political Director at Sojourners to discuss the link between racism and mental health, how cultural identity can be a protective factor and how we all should find support from family, friends and community.

Keep in touch with Lauren:

Twitter:@MYMStrategies

LinkedIn: Lauren Reliford, MSW

Social Work Policy and the Dignity of Life

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Too often, data is collected and presented in a way that perupates disparity and deficit. By decolonizing data, indigenous communities determine the information they want to gather, think through why they are gathering it, and know who is interpreting the data and if the interpretation is being done in a way that serves the community. Today we join Autumn Asher BlackDeer, MSW, Decolonial Scholar to discuss how data is typically communicated through a deficit-based framework, how to add a cultural lens to the work and how data can be used to elevate the stories of those it is supposed to serve.

Keep in touch with Autumn:

Twitter:@AsherBlackDeer

Website: Autumn Asher BlackDeer

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